'Vikings: Valhalla' Season 3 Episode 2 Takeaway: Syracuse massacre to alter one character's path
Contains spoilers for 'Vikings: Valhalla' Season 3
DUBLIN, IRELAND: The last season of Netflix's 'Vikings: Valhalla', set in the early 11th century, will follow Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett) on an ambitious expedition, as signalled by the trailer.
Jeb Stuart's historical series focuses on the war between the Vikings and the English, as well as the conflict between the pagan and Christian Viking factions.
Season 2 of the show ended with Leif and Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter) eventually arriving in Constantinople, and the season begins with the two battling for The Roman King.
The trailer for Season 3 revealed that Leif will go on his most significant expedition, which is also historically accurate, and the second episode of the show precisely created a storyline that might lead Leif to embark on a new voyage that would make him the historical figure we know today.
Why did Leif Erikson feel guilty after the Syracuse massacre?
The most recent season included a tragic massacre that would finally lead Leif down his new path.
In a tense standoff over Syracuse, Emperor Romanos III (Nikolai Kinski) demands the Emir (Christian Vit) and Saracens surrender, but they resist, expecting reinforcements.
Leif also warns them about depleting supplies, notably water, after he dried up five of the six wells.
Eventually, a single battle deal is reached between Harald and the Emir, with the city awarded to the winner.
Harald wins and a peace deal is suggested. However, George Maniakes (Florian Munteanu), motivated by hate and fear, raids Leif's tent and discovers scientific research to make a lethal weapon.
Leif enters the Syracuse library as it is being destroyed and tells the troops to stop, seeing the importance of preserving history. He hunts down the librarian and collects 'The Book of the Unknown', which hints at his future exploration.
On the other hand, Maniakes deceives the inhabitants of Syracuse with assurances of food, only to douse them with combustible yellow powder and burn them alive, while Harald and Leif watch helplessly.
Leif's sadness is apparent when he realizes that his military methods have been used on innocent people.
Did the massacre in Syracuse mark a turning point for Leif Erikson?
As previously suspected, the upcoming season would centre on Leif's metamorphosis from a Viking warrior to a traveller.
So, the horrific mass killing will undoubtedly be a watershed event for our warrior, allowing him to concentrate entirely on his voyage.
This traumatic tragedy shapes Leif's character, providing insights into his moral compass.
Additionally, this encounter can enhance Leif's character journey as he grapples with shame and a newfound sense of moral duty, maybe pushing him to reconsider his path.
That being stated, the stage is set, and after this gruesome massacre, we shall witness Leif's transformation.
'Vikings: Valhalla' Season 3 trailer
'Vikings: Valhalla' Season 3 is now available to stream on Netflix.